Who is Anneka Manning?

Anneka Manning is an author, food editor, cooking teacher, home economist, mother of two and the founder of BakeClub. With over 27 years' experience, she specialises in teaching the ‘why’ behind the ‘how’ of baking, giving home cooks the know-how, understanding and skill to bake with confidence and success, every time.

In her 27 years as an author, food editor, consultant, teacher and publisher, Anneka Manning has worked for an impressive list of leading food publications including Australian Gourmet Traveller, Australian Good Taste, The Australian Women’s Weekly and The Sydney Morning Herald. She has also compiled, written and contributed to a number of successful, award-winning books, including good food and more good food (Text publishing), The Low GI Family Cookbook (Hachette) and Mastering the Art of Baking (Murdoch Books). Anneka’s latest book, BakeClass (Murdoch Books), was published in March 2016.

Anneka writes regularly for a number of both print and online publications, as well as having a significant television and radio profile. Her columns include her monthly Bakeproof column for SBS Food, and Family Baking for GI News.

Through her writing, presenting and Sydney-based baking school, BakeClub, Anneka teaches home cooks to bake in practical and approachable, yet inspiring, ways. She hosts the unique, six-month Make Me a Baker program, the only cooking course of its kind currently available in Australia. Anneka specialises in teaching not only the ‘how’ but also the ‘why’ of baking, giving home cooks the know-how, understanding and skill to bake with confidence and success, every time.

Her love of cooking, and especially her passion for baking, grew and was nurtured during childhood on her parents' sheep and cattle property in southern New South Wales. She now shares her life in Sydney with her husband, Paul, and two children, Brooke and Benjamin.

Anneka is passionate about bringing real baking into Australian homes and to inspire home cooks with deliciously simple recipes that are relevant to their lives. She knows the type of recipes people want and understands the most effective methods for teaching baking skills. Her friendly and engaging approach to her writing and teaching comes with her vast experience and a firm belief in ‘simple food done well’, relying on sound basics, simple techniques and quality ingredients.

Anneka believes that baking is something to be valued, and, ultimately, shared. "Baking can enrich people’s lives on so many levels and connect them with the people they love. It warms the heart and feeds the soul. Baking is love made edible."